Asunción, Agencia IP.- Paraguayan Chancellor Rubén Ramírez Lezcano stated that there is a «very favorable» atmosphere with Brazil to quickly reach an agreement on the amount of the tariff for electricity generated at the Itaipu Binational.
The next meeting at the level of chancellors will be in the first week of March, he announced.
In a press conference, the chancellor reported on his meeting yesterday, Thursday, with the Brazilian chancellor, Mauro Vieira, to discuss «the most important issue on our bilateral agenda at the moment, which is related to the binational entity of Itaipu.»
He indicated that they addressed the operational plan, the budget of the binational, which already has significant progress and agreements, and issues related to the tariff.
Regarding the tariff issue, he stated that «there is a very favorable atmosphere to reach an agreement» and that this agreement would be reached quickly «because it is the will of both heads of state and it is also a necessity, motivated by the binational entity being able to operate as efficiently as possible.»
He specified that the negotiation on the tariff will continue to advance at the technical level and that discussions are being based on the harmonization of data and figures. «We have four numbers: two from Brazil, two from Paraguay,» he specified.
«We estimate that it is possible to reach a technical tariff proposal in the next meeting. However, these are complex negotiations,» the chancellor said.
He noted that once an agreement is reached, it will finally be sealed by both heads of state during the planned visit of President Lula da Silva to Paraguay.
Finally, he affirmed that this agreement will be mutually beneficial between both countries, understanding that Itaipu is a factor for development for the inhabitants of Brazil and Paraguay.